Working Home Guidehttps://www.workinghomeguide.com
Tue, 03 Mar 2015 14:55:26 +0000en-UShourly1Legal Prohibition Of Talking: For An Unbiased Court Decisionhttps://www.workinghomeguide.com/23643/legal-prohibition-of-talking-for-an-unbiased-court-decision
https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23643/legal-prohibition-of-talking-for-an-unbiased-court-decision#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 14:55:26 +0000https://www.workinghomeguide.com/?p=23643Read more →]]>Sometimes, during a court session, external factors might impact the final judgment of the court. This may be unfair since it is not based on reason or factual evidence. In this case, a jest order can be called.

A Jest Order: What Is It In Court?

In lawful wording, a muffle request or concealment request is a request issued by a judge, forbidding the included gatherings, legal counselors, witnesses, law requirement authorities, and other trial members from making the subtle elements of the case open.

It is basically issued to preclude pretrial exposure and deny the media from obtrusively attempting the case in the press, as that can add to partiality against the respondent and deny him the privilege to a reasonable trial.

By issuing a gag request, the judge additionally discounts the possibilities of making an open inclination to one side. Your lawyer can help you in gaining further information as to why a gag request is even put forth and how it can allow individuals to save themselves from a case going haywire.

How Does It Work?

A muffle request commonly known as a gag order is regularly issued in prominent cases, including big names or instances of severe wrongdoing.

Pre-trial exposure is no more inexplicable to such cases; a muffle request serves to minimize its effect.

Much of the time, the defendants request is issued at the command of one of the victims involved in the entire case. In spite of the fact that the idea exists in other government and private associations too, it is limited to the field of law in its actual sense.

How Can One Issue Such A Request In Court?

The media have the privilege to test a gag request issued by the court, referring to its own rights to assemble data. If one individual is a writer, they also have the authority to challenge a jest request, however commonly this order is usually induced by the judge ensuring that it has been passed with caution and care of the offended individuals.

If you are testifying for or against it after it has been issued, you are expected to get a duplicate and experience it to check whether there are any subtleties in the dialect that can help you move it.

Whilst recording a movement, you ought to explicitly say that you have the desire for social occasions. This way the news then passes on the data from the speaker to the community.

As it is a lawful system, it is shrewd to take legitimate exhortation when documenting a movement against a gag request or order. You additionally need to remember that prohibitive decisions cannot be precluded. It is doubtlessly important to secure a singular’s entitlement to a reasonable trial, however, not at the expense of anyone else’s entitlement.

These requests and orders can have grim impacts on the court decisions to and for individuals. Therefore, if you have the feeling it needs to be issued given a proceeding, court hearing, you should familiarize yourself with the credentials.

Alaistair Alec is the author of this article and rights of the legalities concerned the “gag order” in the court of law. On this website, she clearly sketched out the drawbacks of speaking unnecessarily in court and how it may be dangerous for the other party.

]]>https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23643/legal-prohibition-of-talking-for-an-unbiased-court-decision/feed0Chimney Maintenance: A Brief Overviewhttps://www.workinghomeguide.com/23640/chimney-maintenance-a-brief-overview
https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23640/chimney-maintenance-a-brief-overview#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 10:52:59 +0000https://www.workinghomeguide.com/?p=23640Read more →]]>One of the most neglected components of a modern home is its chimney. It serves an important function, as well as lending a property aesthetic value. In spite of this, chimneys are rarely maintained as well as they should be. Let’s take a look at exactly how one should go about caring for a chimney – and what to do if a chimney needs replacing.

What does a chimney do?

Before we can establish how best to keep a chimney in good working order, it is worth first examining exactly what it is that a chimney is supposed to do. If you were to light a fire in your living room without a chimney, the room would quickly fill with smoke. A chimney provides the smoke with a way of exiting the room by funneling it upward into the sky.

Since its job is to funnel burning hot gas, the interior of a chimney needs to withstand a great deal more stress than, say, the brickwork outside your house. Fortunately, the brickwork is not directly exposed to the smoke, since the smoke will be directed upward within a long metal tube, called the lining. This lining can degrade over time, thereby exposing the brick and mortar beneath. If the brickwork is exposed to burning hot ash for a long enough period of time, it will degrade. It may even lead to the collapse of the chimney.

It is therefore wise to periodically check the lining to see whether it is entirely intact. This is particularly the case if you happen to use your fireplace regularly – if you are lighting the hearth more than once a day, then bi-annual check-ups will be helpful. If your fireplace is used more occasionally, then once a year should be sufficient.

While slow degradation of a chimney should be guarded against, there exist other, more acute dangers. Small objects, such as bird’s nests, can become lodged in the chimney. Bricks can end up falling down them. Some homeowners might even deliberately block a chimney in order to prevent such objects from falling down! It is almost impossible to tell at a glance whether this has been done – a fact which has led many new homeowners to light a fire and immediately regret the decision.

If you have just moved in and plan on lighting a fire for the first time, then try to take a look up the chimney before doing so. If you can see daylight, then you may proceed; if you cannot, then further investigation is in order.

What about gas fires?

We may associate coal fires with ash and smoke and the need for a chimney sweep. But gas fires, too, require annual maintenance. While the short, blue flame on your gas stove is perfectly safe, the long, orange flame on the inside of a gas fire is not. This is because the gas has not been entirely burned; some carbon monoxide still remains. Since human beings are incapable of smelling carbon monoxide, you will be unaware of the problem until it is too late. It is wise, therefore, to ensure that the gas is properly able to escape up the chimney.

It can be difficult to know exactly who to pay to sweep your chimney. Fortunately, there exists an organisation whose role it is to certify quality sweeps: the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS). This certification will ensure that the sweep is suitably qualified. Such people are issued cards to prove their credentials, which they should be happy to show you if asked.

There are some occasions, however, which require more extensive work. Perhaps the chimney itself has begun to degrade because of adverse weather; perhaps it has been knocked off by a strong wind. Whether the damage is chronic or acute, it is best that a chimney is repaired sooner rather than later.

What if I need a new chimney?

If you chimney has been deemed to be irreversibly damaged, then it will need to be replaced. Unfortunately, replacing a chimney is not an easy task. This is fairly obvious; any building project which must be carried out on a precarious rooftop will be a great deal more difficult than one which can be performed at ground level. It is best that you seek the services of a specialist, such as Marcus Roofing, who are able to remove, construct and repair chimneys, as well as offering a range of roofing services. Their website can be found at www.marcusroofing.co.uk.

]]>https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23640/chimney-maintenance-a-brief-overview/feed0Signs That Your Pipes Need To Be Replacedhttps://www.workinghomeguide.com/23637/signs-that-your-pipes-need-to-be-replaced
https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23637/signs-that-your-pipes-need-to-be-replaced#commentsFri, 27 Feb 2015 07:41:05 +0000https://www.workinghomeguide.com/?p=23637Read more →]]>Water, water everywhere, through walls into the sink. Your house’s piping forms the living arteries of your household, providing much-needed water to your faucet, your toilet, and your morning shower. Along with the electrical wiring, gas lines, and insulation, they are what makes your home inhabitable.

However, the sad truth is that your pipes need to be replaced sooner or later. All things eventually break down, and the costs that come from burst water pipes can often cost far more than the act of installing them would have.

In this situation, it is helpful to know the approximate lifespan of your pipes. Pipes made from metals such as iron, steel or brass can often last a century or so, even while under constant pressure. Meanwhile, PVC may only last three or four decades in comparison, and is only usually used for external drain pipes rather than supply pipes. If you know how old your pipes are, you can use this to gauge whether or not they may need replacing soon should you ever spot any indication that there may be faulty pipes in your home.

So what are the warning signs of incoming water damage from deteriorated pipes?

1) Loss of Water Pressure

The most immediately obvious sign that your water pipes may need replacing is a sudden lack of water pressure. If, for example, you notice you’re just not getting as much water when trying to wash the dishes, it could be a sign that the water necessary isn’t getting through the pipes as easily as it should.

There can be two things responsible for the loss of pressure. First is a build-up of dirt, grime, lime scale and debris within the pipes themselves. No matter what you do, you will get this collection of muck within your pipes sooner or later. Over time, this will get thicker and thicker, further reducing the amount of water that can get through the pipes, and eventually blocking them up completely. Alternatively, the pipe has sprung a leak somewhere, and water is escaping through that leak. In either case, the pipe needs to be checked, and the problem dealt with.

2) Mysteriously Increasing Water Bills

Some people hardly use much water. They use enough to keep them and theirs clean and watered, and not much else. So when they notice that, inexplicitly, their water bill has been steadily climbing over the past few months, this may cause them to ask serious questions. Increasing water bills are thus another sure fire way to tell that your water pipes may need to be replaced. In this case the problem is most assuredly a leak – water is escaping, and the hike in price is because of the wasted water.

3) Leaky Pipes

This one is obvious. If your pipes are leaking, and tightening up any joints or connections does not seem to help, then they need to be replaced. A leak is something you need to attend to sooner rather than later. If left alone, they will not only get worse, but cause very expensive property damage to your home and belongings as well.

4) Suspicious Puddles in the Yard

If you notice strange puddles forming in your yard, despite a lack of any recent rain, take this to mean that an underground pipe has burst and is leaking into the surrounding soil. If the water is clear and doesn’t smell like much of anything, then it is a clean water line. If, however, it looks turgid and smells something foul, then a sewer line has burst and is leaking septic waste. Either is bad enough, but leaking sewage is just a disease waiting to happen. Call a plumber the moment you spot it.

5) Mold and Damp Damage

Another physical symptom that may suggest your pipes are in need of replacing is damp patches forming on your walls and ceilings. Take note of these especially if you’ve had a bit of a dry patch in terms of weather, which would rule out of the possibility of it being related to rain or morning dew. Should you suspect a leaking pipe, consider looking at the house schematics if they are available to see whether water pipes are nearby that may be causing the damage. Alternatively, check the section of wall yourself, if you can.

Christian Mills is a home improvement blogger who, in his free time, does everything he can to keep his home in perfect order. Sometimes this means calling a professional, and for plumbing problems that professional would be A1 Service Plumbing. You can learn more about Christian on Google+.

]]>https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23637/signs-that-your-pipes-need-to-be-replaced/feed05 Ways To Spruce Up A Room Whilst Keeping Costs Downhttps://www.workinghomeguide.com/23630/5-ways-to-spruce-up-a-room-whilst-keeping-costs-down
https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23630/5-ways-to-spruce-up-a-room-whilst-keeping-costs-down#commentsMon, 23 Feb 2015 17:13:10 +0000https://www.workinghomeguide.com/?p=23630Read more →]]>With rising property costs and the expense of moving, many people would rather work with what they have rather than moving house to obtain their perfect home. At the same time, as demonstrated by the popularity of shows such as Super Scrimpers and Kirstie’s Fill Your House For Free, there is a growing trend towards ‘doing more for less’.

So, how can you transform a tired room without breaking the bank?

Cut the clutter

One of the first things to consider when looking to improve a room is getting rid of any clutter. Decide what you really need and remove the rest – and try to be ruthless! Consider selling what you don’t want at a car boot sale to help fund the rest of your improvements. For the objects that are left, invest in some clever storage solutions to give the room a sleek, spacious feel.

Make a feature wall

You don’t need to change the whole room to achieve a brand new look. Why not make a feature out of one wall? Select patterned wallpaper, or, to keep costs down even further, simply choose a bold coloured paint. Alternatively, you could use colour to pick out features in the room such as the inside of book shelves, alcoves or fixtures and fittings. You’ll be surprised at the difference a splash of colour can make to a room.

Rearrange the furniture

This has to be one of the easiest ways to transform the look of a room. Even a slight change to the layout of your furniture can add new life to a space. It’s usually a good idea to plan your new layout before you start, but don’t be afraid to make adjustments as you go along. Read some more tips on how to arrange your furniture to get the best effect.

Let There Be Light

Light sources, whether natural or artificial can have huge impact on the look and feel of a room. Good lighting can instantly improve your surroundings. You may need to experiment to find out what works best in your home, but some of the following tips should help you get the best effect:

Avoid overhead lighting where possible as it can often look too harsh. Instead use floor lamps, spot lights, fairy lights, uplighters and even candles to add atmosphere and interest.

Consider what you use the room for – and adapt your lighting accordingly.

Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise!

New accessories can really change the look of a room. If you have neutral furniture and decor, adding accessories in one or two key colours can add a lift. From curtains to soft furnishings to rugs and even photo frames – add as little or as much as you like to get the desired effect. The smallest details can make the biggest difference.

These are just a few suggestions, but there are so many other things you can do to transform your room that won’t cost the Earth. The key is to experiment until you get the look you want.

Your perfect pad awaits.

Dominic Farrugia is the Co-Director of Regency Plaster who specialise in plaster restoration since 1988 and serve Enfield, London and the rest of the UK.

]]>https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23630/5-ways-to-spruce-up-a-room-whilst-keeping-costs-down/feed07 Things You Need To Check Before Buying A Period Buildinghttps://www.workinghomeguide.com/23627/7-things-you-need-to-check-before-buying-a-period-building
https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23627/7-things-you-need-to-check-before-buying-a-period-building#commentsMon, 23 Feb 2015 10:31:18 +0000https://www.workinghomeguide.com/?p=23627Read more →]]>Congratulations on deciding to buy a period property! Period properties are full of character and there’s something magical about purchasing a home that has seen all kinds of people living between its walls.

It can be great fun uncovering original features, such as tiled floors and open fireplaces – and it’s equally rewarding managing to hunt down the perfect piece for your home from an antiques fair or thrift store.

But before you take the plunge, check out our list of seven essential do’s and don’ts when it comes to buying a period property and make sure you’ve got everything covered before you sign on the dotted line.

Do check if your property is listed

Not all period properties are classed as listing buildings. You should do your homework on the status of your building and also find out if it is in a conservation area.

Don’t expect the estate agent’s notes to provide you with listed information. They don’t legally need to tell you if a property is listed or not. Your solicitor will be able to give you a definitive answer on its status instead.

If your property is listed, it means you will need to check that alterations you make to your home don’t break any building regulations. If your property is located in a conservation area, you might have the benefit of working with a conservation officer from your local authority, who will be able to provide guidance on maintenance and improvements to your property. If any exterior changes are made, they will need to be in keeping with your property’s surroundings.

Don’t be afraid to explore

Buying a property is a huge expense, yet most of us only spend only twenty-five minutes looking around a property before we decide we want to buy it. It sounds like madness, doesn’t it? Chances are, if you’re looking to buy a period property, you will spend much longer than half an hour looking around before making a decision.

Make sure you check out the attic, the cellar and any outdoor spaces. It’s also worth looking in cupboards to see if the condition of the walls can provide any clues towards the condition on the property.

Revisit the property at different times of the day, to get a feel for the area and how much light the property receives.

Neighbours can also provide insight into the property’s history and might be able to tell you what other people have done to improve the property over recent years.

Do check utility bills

You may think that older properties are less energy efficient than new builds. However, this isn’t always the case. Previous owners may have had work done to improve the insulation in the home, such as improving the boiler system or installing loft or cavity wall insulation.

Check with utility bill suppliers, who will be able to tell you the average costs of running the property. You could also ask the current owners who may be able to provide you with bills from the past twelve months.

Do work with a specialist surveyor

Period properties are very different from post-1930s homes and you should enlist the advice of a professional who has experience working with this type of property. Consider integrating a RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) survey with an IHBC (Institute of Historic Building Conservation) survey to get full insight into your buildings historical features and what opportunities for improvement will be approved.

The IHBC survey will also reveal which previous repairs have been approved by your local council. If you are looking to purchase a listed building, this is something you certainly want to find out as new owners are liable for previous repairs carried out on listed properties.

Don’t scrimp on the contingency budget

Whether you’re looking to renovate a period property and bring it back to its former glory, or modernise it, whilst still being sympathetic to the original features of the house, always make sure you have a healthy contingency budget. As a rule, for period properties, this should be around twenty – thirty per cent of the buying price of the property.

Don’t stretch yourself when buying your period property. It’s much better to go for something a little cheaper, so you have a healthy contingency reserve, then to go for a property which maxes out your budget and some of your contingency funds too.

Do consider your plans

In some areas of the UK, period properties can command up to four times as big an increase in house prices as new build homes. This is because there is limited supply of period property to the market, and therefore the price of your period property is likely to increase.

Unlike new builds, which are typically built to modern trends and aesthetics, period properties have a timeless appeal, which never goes out of fashion. Consider this fact when you purchase your property. Any changes you make should be in keeping with the age of the property and should highlight original features.

Take a look at neighbouring homes and developments. How is the area likely to change over the next five to ten years? Is the area you are buying into a student area, where many homes are converted to flats, or is the area more suited to a young family?

Consider your plans for your property and if you’re planning on residing in the property, what it will be like to actually live in. Remember, you need to create a beautiful, yet practical space in an area suited to your needs.

Don’t forget to take pictures

Taking photographs when you are visiting your property will help you when you come to write up your planned schedule of works. Take as many photos as you feel necessary, including images of the corners of the rooms, the conditions of the windows and the exterior space. It’s also worth taking pictures of the outside walls and any brickwork too.

If you are viewing more than one period property, photos will help remind you which properties are which and will jog your memory of the particular features you found interesting.

Buying a period property requires a lot of background research and effort on your behalf. But the rewards can well outweigh the time spent planning, visiting and researching. After all, you never know what exciting treasures you might uncover!

Mike Low is the Director of the leading Chelmsford Estate Agents – Balgores Low. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the property industry and was managing his first office by the age of 24.

]]>https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23627/7-things-you-need-to-check-before-buying-a-period-building/feed0Backyard Storage Solutions: The Beauty is in The Spacehttps://www.workinghomeguide.com/23622/backyard-storage-solutions-the-beauty-is-in-the-space
https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23622/backyard-storage-solutions-the-beauty-is-in-the-space#commentsSun, 22 Feb 2015 14:40:39 +0000https://www.workinghomeguide.com/?p=23622Read more →]]>What you should have in mind when you think about storage is that it can be, if it’s not well organized, very ugly and intrusive. To avoid that your external storage becomes ugly scene I will propose to you several possible solutions. These solutions will result in that your backyard storage not just doesn’t look bad or ugly, but that it’s great part of your backyard that you should be proud of.

Small stuff, outdoor toys

For storage of small items (pillows, children’s toys …), we would recommend a storage bench. This is a very clever solution for storing. These are classic garden benches, under whose seat is a storage part, and when you pick up sitting you can storage small items in that storage part. You can use storage benches for items that should you be at your fingertips, or should be hidden from possible rain.

Sheds

Sheds are certainly the most common option for backyard storage. This is due to their practicality. They are ideal for storing larger items, such as some hand tools, shovels, brooms, hoses, etc. Today you can buy ready – made shed or, if you are skilled enough, you can make it yourself. Many of them also have some architectural solutions which make them very interesting, and you can even make it to look like a smaller copy of your own house. Because you can do almost anything with the shed and make it beautiful it can add value to your home.

Workshop could be just that easy to set up

One of the best ways to improve your yard in a way that it will contribute to its functionality and even aesthetics, is to build the workshop or the garage. The workshop does not have to serve only as a workspace, you’ll store in it all of yours bulky items, such as construction tools. Given that this is a serious undertaking that will leave a huge impact on your yard, I do not advise you, if you are an average person, to try on your own to build a workshop or garage.

Probably the best idea for a workshop or garage would be to get one of those container shelters because they are practical, perfectly designed, and, the most important, cheap. Since the workshop is used as a storage area for big tools, that can be very expensive, and in garage you leave your vehicle, you need to have a construction that will be strong enough to protect your tools and vehicles of external – climate conditions and, also, from theft. What you should have in mind when we talk about storage containers, which is also very important, is that they are eco-friendly, and that they don’t take up too much space.

Be sure that the look of your backyard affects the overall appearance of your property. With this in mind you should consider to choose the storage that enhances the appearance of your property and completes its style. It is fortunate that today’s external storage possibilities are virtually limitless, both in terms of design and in terms of material that it’s build from, so I am sure that you will be able to find what you and your yard suits the most.

Ariel Bellamy is an open-minded blogger who takes care that her words are well written, sharply witty and unconditionally true. She focuses on all things green – in battle for Earth, and all things healthy – as in battle for happiness.

]]>https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23622/backyard-storage-solutions-the-beauty-is-in-the-space/feed0Social Networking And Your Law Firmhttps://www.workinghomeguide.com/23618/social-networking-and-your-law-firm
https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23618/social-networking-and-your-law-firm#commentsSun, 22 Feb 2015 14:25:15 +0000https://www.workinghomeguide.com/?p=23618Read more →]]>When running a law firm, most people will understand, quickly, how difficult it is to find and new clients. Now, traditional methods such as the phone book and television work to an extent; however, when looking to find new clients without spending too much money, one should use social media.

With that being said, here are the top five benefits to using social media to market a personal injury law firm.

Cost:

As mentioned, traditional methods, while effective are often extremely expensive. In fact, one can spend thousands of dollars on a radio or television spot only to see but a trickle of customers. Now, most do not understand that they have other choices that will yield better results. With social media, a law firm can, without spending much money, attract a broad audience. In fact, without spending a dollar, a lawyer can set up a social media page and start gaining followers from day one.

Easy:

Many marketing strategies are hard to run. This makes it difficult for a layperson to communicate effectively with current and potential clients who may need legal services. Fortunately, with a Facebook page and Twitter feed, a law firm can communicate with people without trouble. This is a distinct benefit to other methods as attorneys are busy and do not have time to develop a complicated marketing strategy.

Viral:

When a page gains plenty of followers, it can go viral. When this happens, the law firm can see an explosion in traffic and will have an easy time gaining new clients. Now, this will not always be the case, but it often is when a law firm takes the time to communicate with visitors and offer value to potential clients. Without a doubt, when a page goes viral, the owner of a business will have more customers than he can deal with and will usually have to hire new employees.

Everyone:

When looking to sell a product or service, many companies have a hard time knowing where to find their clients. This is often a difficult problem that leaves many marketing professionals stumped. Fortunately, when looking to market a law firm, one will not have difficulty when they use Facebook. In reality, almost every adult uses the social media site every day.

Furthermore, people access the site with their tablets, smartphones and work computers. This allows a smart attorney multiple opportunities to find new clients who need legal services. Remember, when marketing to the people directly, one can have a great chance of success without wasting valuable time and money.

Complement:

Most lawyers have a website where clients can visit and learn about available services. While this is obviously an excellent start, one should do more to have an online presence. With a Facebook and Twitter presence, a law firm can complement its online presence and communicate with clients on multiple fronts. With this, one can post on Facebook and link it to their website and gain more interested customers.

Simply put, most visitors will expect a comprehensive online presence as most companies now aim for this. When understanding, and taking advantage of, social media marketing, a law firm will see a solid return on investment. Luckily, one can run a campaign and gain customers from the first day with little effort.

Christopher Steven is an avid blogger from Tulsa, Oklahoma who is passionate about encouraging safety for all communities while working with the Gorospe & Smith Tulsa Car Accident Lawyer Law Firm in his own community to educate and promote safety and accident prevention.

Even the cleanest homeowners with the most sparkling kitchen surfaces can inadvertently miss small crumbs of food that can attract pests during the autumn and winter months. For example, if you don’t have a built-in oven and fridge, you are almost guaranteed to find little pieces of food trapped behind them (think breadcrumbs, curry sauce or biscuit crumbs).

Crumbs are a rodents’ feast

To pests like mice and rats, this food can become their daily diet, and as they begin to settle into your home, they start venturing into the rest of your kitchen in search of food.

Don’t leave any leftover cake lying around – put it in the fridge!

Be careful not to leave any food lying around, especially at night, when rodents are actively in search of food. Refrigerate any leftover food and try to remove any lingering food smells (i.e. spicy curry) with an odour eliminator.

Consider a humane mouse/rat trap

If you are suffering from a mouse infestation, it will be generally much easier to remove the pests using a humane trap. There are various reusable devices available on numerous websites and retail outlets, many of which will be designed to lure the rodents into a compartment for food before cleverly trapping them inside, without causing them any physical pain.

When you catch the rodents, don’t let them find you again

When you catch mice or rats, remove them as soon as possible and ‘relocate’ them at least two miles from your home to ensure they don’t return. The further your relocate them, the better, although try to avoid releasing them near any buildings.

Seal any cracks and gaps – no matter how many

Key to the evolutionary survival of rodents is their ability to pass through incredibly small gaps and holes in homes in search of food. If you have the budget, consider refurbishing your kitchen or insulating any cracks (or recently created mouse holes!). Seal openings to dryer vents, utilities, bins, toilet bowls and any other items that may attract pests or provide an entry route.

Installing door sweeps beneath all exterior doors can help prevent rodents, spiders or insects from entering your interior. To ensure that mice and rats can’t enter, check for any gaps that are a quarter of an inch wide or larger.

Don’t underestimate the abilities of rodents

Many people still can’t believe how these rodents are able to pass through such confined spaces, hence why so many leave these spaces open to allow mice and rats to run wild in their homes.

Finally, turn off heating at night, if possible

Besides food, pests also invade homes to find warmth, especially during unusually chilly nights in September and October. By keeping your kitchen and living areas cooler at night, you are less likely to attract unwanted guests. Unfortunately, you may not be able to do this if you have flatmates living below you who leave their heating on all night. However, hopefully, if you have followed the other tips in this article, you are already on your way to eliminating pests from your home for the entire winter.

Tony Bond is the Founder for one of the leading pest control firms in Essex – Essex Pest Control.

]]>https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23615/pest-proofing-tips-for-the-winter-months/feed0How Energy Efficiency Can Improve Wellbeing In The Workplacehttps://www.workinghomeguide.com/23612/how-energy-efficiency-can-improve-wellbeing-in-the-workplace
https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23612/how-energy-efficiency-can-improve-wellbeing-in-the-workplace#commentsTue, 17 Feb 2015 15:01:57 +0000https://www.workinghomeguide.com/?p=23612Read more →]]>While most businesses and energy companies talk about lower costs and carbon emissions, there’s another reason to invest in energy efficiency measures: happier, healthier and more productive workers. Here are some methods you can use to improve energy efficiency in your workplace.

Rearrange the office

According to Mental Health Research UK, going without daily sunlight can lead to lethargy and depression – losing around 1 million working hours each year.

Office layouts that allow plenty of natural light reduce the need for electrical lighting throughout the day. Make sure skylights and windows are well utilised and encourage your staff to step outside during their lunch break. You could even organise walking trips during lunch hour to incentivise healthy exercise.

Increased exposure to daylight will keep your workers happier, with a high number of workers being affected by the negative effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) due to waking up in darkness and returning home to it.

Tweak the temperature

It may seem common sense that a comfortable temperature will make your workers more productive, but what’s less obvious is that just a couple of degrees can make a big difference. According to ergonomics expert Chris Adams, the majority of research shows that the optimal office temperature is between 21 and 23 degrees Celcius.

Google is just one company drawing parallels between energy efficiency and a more productive workforce. “Energy efficiency is a huge focus for Google — both in our productivity and our operations — and we’ve found that it aligns with our goals for healthy workplaces,” says Anne Less, Google [e]Team Innovation Program Manager. “There is a strong correlation between workplace satisfaction and temperature, and similarly with Googlers’ self-reported productivity.”

Luckily, with the latest technology in smart thermostats becoming available, you should be able find the right balance between maximising productivity and minimising your bills.

Ventilation for the nation

With people now spending 90% of their time indoors, research by Energy and Buildings indicates that better ventilation can reduce illness and in turn boost productivity and morale. Improved ventilation also minimises damp, condensation and heat loss.

You should have your extractor fans and heaters routinely cleaned by a professional to ensure they are working to their full capacity. Another handy trick is to rotate the blades of ceiling fans with the seasons; clockwise for an updraft that sends warm air downwards in winter and anticlockwise for a downdraft breeze in summer.

Reap the hidden costs

If you look at your business costs, you’re likely to find that you spend more money looking after your workers than you do on gas and electricity. With improved energy efficiency, you could experience increased productivity as well as a reduction in sick pay. So, when your energy efficiency scheme has a positive effect on your people, it will also have a positive effect on your pocket.

If you haven’t done so already, it pays to compare gas and electricity deals for business. Use a price comparison site like uSwitch.com to see how energy companies stack up on price and service and then take a look at your favourites individually to see if you can get any deals by shopping direct. The best deals on the market are all fixed energy tariffs, so you might wish to choose one of these and freeze your energy bills for a period of usually 1, 2 or 3 years.

The best news is that it’s now faster than ever to switch energy companies, with the time it takes to switch being slashed from 5 and a half weeks to just over 2 weeks, including a 2 week cooling off period.

Ronald Hurk works for a well known energy provider and enjoys blogging in his spare time. He often provides insights and advice for consumers looking for savings.

]]>https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23612/how-energy-efficiency-can-improve-wellbeing-in-the-workplace/feed0The Mighty Oak: Why We Have Been Using Oak For Thousands Of Yearshttps://www.workinghomeguide.com/23608/the-mighty-oak-why-we-have-been-using-oak-for-thousands-of-years
https://www.workinghomeguide.com/23608/the-mighty-oak-why-we-have-been-using-oak-for-thousands-of-years#commentsTue, 17 Feb 2015 09:56:18 +0000https://www.workinghomeguide.com/?p=23608Read more →]]>Right now it seems like oak furniture has never been more popular. There are more shops and websites selling this wood now than ever before – but don’t be tempted to think that its dominance on the high street is a passing fad. Oak has been used by people for thousands of years to craft furniture.

So why has its popularity endured for so long? Well, there are a number of reasons why we just can’t get enough of the mighty oak.

Strength and durability

In the past, oak was used to build naval ships, which gives you an idea as to how strong it is. Remarkable in its ability to withstand knocks and scrapes that other furniture would not be able to, it’s a great choice for families. It’s pretty low maintenance too, the only thing you have to be careful to avoid is a build-up of dust. This is easily remedied by a quick wipe over with a damp cloth every now and again – an ideal choice for busy mums and dads with little time for housework! Just when you think this wonder wood can’t get any better, it does. Oak is also resistant to damage from insects and fungus, meaning that you don’t have to worry about any expensive pest control measures. Phew!

Timeless good looks

It’s not just about functionality though. A key part of oak’s dominance in the furniture market is that it just looks really good. There’s not a room in the house that a nice piece of oak furniture wouldn’t look fantastic in. From some gorgeous bespoke kitchen units to a beautifully carved bed, it’s a wood that lends itself well to almost every kind of interior design scheme. Going back to one of the points we made earlier, one of the reasons for its versatility in the home is that it’s so strong. Its ability to withstand pressure without splitting or cracking means that it’s suitable for every room in the home, even the bathroom!

If you flick through any interior design or home magazine, you’re guaranteed to spot oak at least once. This is because it’s that rare thing in today’s world; timeless. From the soft honey hue to the attractive grain in the wood, oak makes a statement without being gimmicky or going out of fashion within the space of a year. It’s easily adaptable too, taking stains a lot better than other wood. This is down to that all important grain, which shows through stains to preserve the character of the wood.

Invest in some oak for your home

If you’re looking to upgrade your interiors, then investing in some oak furniture is a great place to start. There are a huge selection of pieces out there, so start off with something small like a side table or some shelves to incorporate it into your home. We’re pretty sure that after a while, you’ll start adding more oak pieces to each room, such is its appeal. Whatever kind of furniture you do go for, by buying oak you’ll investing in something that will last for years to come.

Nick Halls is the Founder of the bespoke oak furniture company – Rustic Oak. Nick designs, creates and builds each piece of furniture using Oak Beam and continues to have a true passion for carpentry.